Kate Middleton, Prince William Reunite at BAFTA After Andrew’s Arrest

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales made a high-profile appearance at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night, walking the red carpet at Royal Festival Hall without stopping to speak to the press.

Prince William, who has served as BAFTA president since 2010, wore a burgundy velvet jacket paired with a black tie, while Catherine stunned in a floor-length pink Gucci gown.

Attendance Uncertain Ahead of Ceremony

The Prince of Wales’ attendance had remained uncertain in the days leading up to the ceremony due to ongoing drama within the royal family. Unlike previous years, BAFTA offered no indication about whether the second in line to the throne would attend the star-studded event.

The couple did not attend last year’s ceremony together. In 2024, William appeared solo as Catherine was recovering from abdominal surgery, later revealed to be cancer-related. She last attended the awards in 2023.

Royal Family Maintains Public Schedule

This year’s appearance comes shortly after the arrest of William’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as the Duke of York before being stripped of his title last year, could face a life sentence if convicted.

Despite the arrest, senior members of the royal family continued with scheduled engagements. King Charles II attended London Fashion Week, while Princess Anne visited a men’s prison in Leeds, signaling a “business as usual” approach.

Will There Be Royal Jokes on Stage?

There had been speculation about whether any references to the scandal would be made during the ceremony. This year’s awards were hosted by Alan Cumming, known for fronting the U.S. version of The Traitors U.S..

In 2020, former BAFTA host Rebel Wilson made jokes referencing Prince Harry and Andrew while William and Catherine sat in the front row. However, Cumming is not expected to address the current controversy in his monologue.

Star-Studded Guest List

Hollywood stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson and Chloé Zhao were among those attending the prestigious film awards in London.

Prince William has held the role of BAFTA president for more than a decade, regularly representing the royal family at the annual ceremony.